Panel will decide if he can serve as firefighter
By Alexander MacInnes
Herald News (Passaic County, NJ)
Copyright 2007 North Jersey Media Group Inc.,
All Rights Reserved
NEWARK, N.J. — Isaac Feliciano, an amputee fighting for a spot in the Paterson Fire Department, was in Newark Wednesday, pleading his case before a state personnel panel.
“I’m no different than any other candidate,” said Feliciano, 33, in a news conference at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, where the hearing took place.
Feliciano, a Paterson native who lost part of his leg when he was 6 after developing gangrene from spinal meningitis, is appealing an April 2006 medical report that determined he was physically unable to perform the duties of a firefighter.
The state Department of Personnel’s three-member medical panel will provide its recommendation in the next seven days.
If the panel finds for Feliciano, the city is required to accept him into the next fire academy class, according to George Laufenberg, spokesman for the state personnel agency. Laufenberg added that there is no uniform state standard regulating medical ineligibility when it comes to applicants with prosthetics.
Feliciano, flanked by his two attorneys and greeted by a cluster of TV cameras, said he was encouraged by Wednesday’s hearing that the state advisory panel would provide a positive recommendation. He said that during the 20-minute closed-door session, the panel questioned him mostly about his ability to climb a ladder.
“I was trying to read their body language the whole time, it was pretty good,” Feliciano said.
His attorneys, William Maniatis and Paul Schlemmer , of Schlemmer & Maniatis in New York, argued that the medical report, conducted by a consulting firm, did not provide any evidence that their client could not withstand the rigors of the job.
“All I see is a conclusion that says prosthetics can’t perform the duties,” said Maniatis, who added that he may file a civil rights suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act if the state does not approve Feliciano’s application.
Maniatis said Feliciano ranked 103 of more than 615 applicants, adding the former high school football player successfully completed the required physical tests.
Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres did not return telephone calls for comment Wednesday, but his office released a statement saying the city would welcome Feliciano if the state clears him medically.
Fire Chief Michael Postorino did not return calls for comment as well Wednesday.
The mayor’s statement went on to point out that there is already a fire official who lost a limb in an on-duty accident. Battalion Chief Michael Muccio, struck by a vehicle in 2002 while on a call on Interstate 80, lost his leg, but returned to duty after extensive rehabilitation.
Muccio confirmed Wednesday afternoon he does walk with a prosthetic leg but declined to comment because he did not have approval.
Feliciano said he did not know Muccio personally but admired him for his return to the department.
“He’s not only an example, but someone I would look up to and admire,” Feliciano said.
During the press conference, Feliciano was asked if he thought he was limited in any way.
“No, well, I’m not a good cook, but that’s about it,” he said.